We talked to Dante Galeazzi, President and CEO of the Texas International Produce Association, BB #:162361 Mission, TX, at the end of 2019.
How has the produce business in the Rio Grande Valley changed over the past five years? The last decade?
In the last ten years, the Rio Grande Valley has seen an explosion of imports: an over 100-percent increase, with a vast majority crossing the Pharr International Bridge, Starr-Camargo Bridge, and the Laredo Bridges.
As a result, the region has also seen a tremendous amount of new construction and new arrivals—cold storage, repacking, U.S. customs brokers, transportation, and packaging. Domestically, we’ve also seen a diversification of product offerings from South Texas. The area has always been known for dry greens, onions, citrus, and watermelons. In the years since, more and more growers have expanded into items such as carrots, beets, chili peppers, organics, and Asian vegetables.
In the last five years, the growth of local demand from Texas retailers has been tremendous. The region has seen strong shows of support from many grocery stores as they promote local production and develop Texas-centric ads. It’s as if a renaissance of appreciation for Texas fruits and vegetables is taking place. Consumers in the Lone Star State, and even neighboring states, are asking for more Rio Star Red Grapefruit and Texas 1015 onions.
On the international side, the diversity of items from Mexico has expanded dramatically. Avocados, limes, mangos, tomatoes, and bell peppers are still the biggest volume items. However, in the last few years, more berries (especially blueberries), broccoli, grapes, and wet/cold vegetable items have begun to cross.
And surprisingly, more unique tropical items are coming through the Texas ports too. Durian, jackfruit, lychee, nopales, prickly pears, and dragon fruit. The sales sheets for many importers are growing every year with the number of new commodities being commercially grown and offered from the region.
What’s one or more aspect of business in the Tex-Mex corridor people don’t know, but should?
Weather and geography! In general, many people underestimate the size of both Texas and Mexico. Texas has multiple climate zones, with several major production areas throughout the state.
South Texas, for example, is subtropical with high humidity, while West Texas has warm days and cool nights. And Mexico—many people forget the country has 32 states and is a third of the size of the United States.
It’s not uncommon for U.S. purchasers to hear “weather in Mexico” and not realize the impact was limited to a single state in the country. Understanding the scope and size of the region is perhaps one of the biggest opportunities for consumer education that Tex-Mex companies have to do better moving forward.
You’ve been involved with Viva Fresh since the beginning; how has the event changed over the years and what role do you think it’s playing for TIPA?
Viva Fresh has experienced a lot of change in the schedule and the activities, but the central themes have remained constant and I think those have been the greatest qualities of the show.
The Steering Committee has continually focused on the core tenants of keeping the show small (168 exhibitors with a 4.5 hour expo); keeping it intimate (plenty of networking events and time between activities to be productive or socialize); and keeping it regional (focusing every year on why the Tex-Mex corridor is a year-round location to get the most flavorful, nutritious, and diverse fresh produce offerings available in the country).
This is multi-part feature adapted from the Rio Grande Valley Supplement in the January/February 2020 issue of Produce Blueprints.
